Morning journal and courier., 1887-10-26
DIR. PHILLIPS ANGRY.

He Appears Before the Committee on
Free Public Library and Expresses
His opinion TO a Modification of
The Rules Governing she Taking of
Books.
The committee on public library met last
evening in the Mayors Office.
Dr. J. P. Phillips appeared before the
committee and gave his ideas about how the
library was managed and how the manage
ment should be modified. DR.. Phillips re-
Gently made complaint before the Court of
Common Council and it was referred to the
committee that met last evening.
GA free public library" said DIR. Phillips,
sis purely socialistic. 1t is true and un-
adulterated Socialism. The free library sys-
tenn is growing all over the country.
ga free library should supply the wants of
all without distinction, and don't think this
library does. A man in my opinion ought
to be able to go to that library and draw a
book without any certificate of character
whatever He should simply be required to
give his name and place of residence. The
books should be free to all, even to criminals,
because the more ignorant, the more vicious
man is the more necessary it is that he
should be supplied with books.
eff the library is any library at all any
man should be a proper person to draw a
book"
DR.. Phillips told how he was refused per-
mission to take book without first having
a guarantor or certificate of character. This
he considered an insult. He also spoke of
the placard chats Off which is exposed in
the library. He thought that sign clsssed
every one who frequented the place as bar
| barians.
Secretary Mansfield asked him If he was
| aware that in Boston the police looked up the
| character of all persons taking out books
/ from the Boston library.
sWell I'd see them in - before I'd
have them look up my record" replied DR..
Phillips.
Hon. John H. Leeds thought that DR.
| Phillips had some slight misunderstanding al
to the rules made by the board. The board
he said, had done everything in their power
| to make the rules as free and equal to al
classes as they could.
DR.. Phillips stated that Lawyer Arvin'
told him his daughter was refused a book
her father being guarsntor. He thought thi
was not as it should be.
John H. Leeds said in the city of Balti
more that the police are employed to hun
up lost books and any little violation of tn,
rules He said that the New Haven boart
had no pet ideas on the matter and was il
search of any information that would tent
to make the library model one.
DIR. Phillips said he was willing that hi
signature should be taken. He thought tina
all that was necessary was the name ant
address, and if the books were lost or dan,
aged. why look the parties up and maxi
them pay the damages.
| Hon John 81. Leeds thought that it wa
necessary that the rules governing the libra
~ should be reconsidered and reconstructed
The matter of drawing books by Temporal,
residents was referred to Messrs. Driscoll
| Kleiner and Mansfield
The librarian reported the receival of thre
gifts of books: FROM Yale library, the Stat
librarian at Hartford and Miss Petit Of New
Haven.
The committee in executive session consid
cred the annual report and the estimates TO
the coming year.